Verified
Grammatical Analysis
Sakkāyadiṭṭhi: [f.] Identity view; personality belief. Formed by sat (existing, real) + kāya (body, group, accumulation) + diṭṭhi (view, belief). Literally, the view concerning the existing group of aggregates.
Orthodox Definition
Sakkāyadiṭṭhi is the very first of the Ten Fetters (saṃyojana) that bind beings to the cycle of rebirth. It is the fundamental, instinctive delusion that an enduring “self,” “I,” or “soul” exists within, is identical to, or possesses the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, formations, consciousness).
The Buddha analyzed this fetter into 20 specific variations (viewing each of the five aggregates in four ways: as self, as owned by self, as in self, or self as in the aggregate). This fetter is the root cause of all subsequent defilements, as all greed and hatred stem from protecting and indulging the perceived “self.”
It is permanently eradicated at the very first stage of awakening, Stream-entry (Sotāpatti), through the direct penetration of the Three Characteristics.
Quote
461. ‘‘kathaṃ panāyye, sakkāyadiṭṭhi hotī’’ti?
“But how, Venerable Lady, does sakkāya-diṭṭhi arise?”‘‘idhāvuso visākha, assutavā puthujjano, ariyānaṃ adassāvī ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinīto, sappurisānaṃ adassāvī sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinīto, rūpaṃ attato samanupassati, rūpavantaṃ vā attānaṃ, attani vā rūpaṃ, rūpasmiṃ vā attānaṃ.
“Here, friend Visākha, an uninstructed ordinary person, who is not skilled in the Noble Ones, unversed in the Dhamma of the Noble Ones, undisciplined in the Dhamma of the Noble Ones, who is not skilled in the True Ones, unversed in the Dhamma of the True Ones, undisciplined in the Dhamma of the True Ones, regards rūpa as self, or self as possessing rūpa, or rūpa as in self, or self as in rūpa.”vedanaṃ…pe… saññaṃ… saṅkhāre… viññāṇaṃ attato samanupassati, viññāṇavantaṃ vā attānaṃ, attani vā viññāṇaṃ, viññāṇasmiṃ vā attānaṃ.
“He regards vedanā… saññā… saṅkhāra… viññāṇa as self, or self as possessing viññāṇa, or viññāṇa as in self, or self as in viññāṇa.”evaṃ kho, āvuso visākha, sakkāyadiṭṭhi hotī’’ti.
“This is how, friend Visākha, sakkāya-diṭṭhi arises,” she said.— Cūḷavedalla Sutta (MN 44)
Textual References
- Sutta: Cūḷavedalla Sutta (MN 44) – Dhammadinnā brilliantly explains to Visākha exactly how identity view arises and how it ceases.
- Canonical: Sakkāya Sutta (SN 22.105) – The Buddha defines sakkāya strictly as the five clinging-aggregates.
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapter XIV) – Providing the analytical breakdown of the 20 types of personality belief.